A homelessness charity is calling for the Government to match their promises with action.

The latest figures show that the number of families using emergency accommodation is up by 76% compared to the start of the year.

The numbers from the Department of the Environment indicate that 707 families are in emergency accommodation, including nearly 1,500 children.

In total there are 3,372 adults staying in emergency accommodation, according to the figures.

National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities, Niamh Randall, says immediate action is needed to tackle this crisis:

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil has proposed establishing a National Home Building Bond to raise funds to address the crisis.

The party's Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Barry Cowen TD, explains the plan would "provide funding to build homes in areas where they are required. This will cater to the needs of first time buyers who are currently locked out of the housing market due to a chronic lack of supply.

"The bond will offer a potentially attractive rate of return for investors in the context of historically low interest rates," he adds, explaining an agency within NAMA would be established to build housing for profit to cater to the needs of first time buyers in Dublin and other urban areas across the country.